Policy positions and briefings

Water UK is currently working on a new version of Sewers for Adoption (SfA), principally to set out standards for adoptable Sustainable Drainage Systems. Documents relating to the work will be published here.

Water UK considers that reducing the overall amount of slug pellets containing metaldehyde applied to land will be the most beneficial way of significantly reducing the risk of treated water metaldehyde exceedances.

Water UK considers that in due course, provided that drinking water is treated with an Authorised biocidal product whose active substance component is Approved and is on the Commission’s Union list and appropriate labelling is made via websites and other communication channels, then no further action is required for drinking water as a treated article. Where drinking water is treated with an active substance that is generated in situ from ‘commodity chemicals’, that in situ active substance will also be considered as the biocidal product.

Water UK and its members do not support or oppose the exploitation of shale gas. As with any activity of this nature there are inherent risks. Evidence suggests that these risks can be mitigated given proper enforcement of regulations, primarily by environmental and health and safety regulators.

Manufacturers are developing ever more innovative brands of toilet paper, biodegradable sanitary towels and wipes. These are frequently disposed of down the toilet and into the sewerage system. Water companies have practical concerns about the suitability of disposing of many of these so-called 'flushable products' into public and private drainage and sewerage networks rather than as municipal solid waste.

The success of the water sector has been built on a stable and predictable regulatory and business environment. This has enabled water companies to raise long-term finance to deliver benefits to customers and the environment at an affordable price.

Water UK considers that water companies should not allow the introduction of broadband fibre optic cabling into potable water systems, either in the water mains in the highway or in the service pipes connecting mains to properties.

Water UK supports the commitment by the European Commission to carry out a review of the Drinking Water Directive (DWD) during 2015 with the option for a full revision subsequently. This position paper considers the basic principles that should form part of any revision.